Alzheimer’s Society warns of the effect of hot weather on people living with dementia in Northumberland

With temperatures expected to remain unusually high across Northumberland this weekend, Alzheimer’s Society has issued advice to ensure people living with dementia stay safe.

While most of us are enjoying the current hot spell, the charity warns that people with dementia may forget to drink enough fluids or wear suitable clothing – putting their health at risk.

Families and carers can play an important role by taking simple precautions such leaving glasses or jugs of water within easy reach, sharing a drink with the person, leaving reminders to drink and providing high water content foods.

As an alternative to traditional fluids, the charity supports the use of ‘water sweets’ known as Jelly Drops to help people with dementia stay hydrated and help boost daily water intake.

These are bite-sized, sugar-free sweets containing 95 per cent water and added electrolytes and can be taken throughout the day to keep the person hydrated during the hot weather.

Lewis Hornby, inventor of Jelly Drops who was inspired by his grandmother, said: "Dehydration is a serious and often overlooked problem for people with dementia and the risk massively increases during the hot summer months.”

Other advice includes making sure the person is dressed in light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibres; keeping the house as cool as possible; avoiding the midday sun; finding ways to cool off such as putting a frozen bottle of water or ice pack next to a fan; and asking friends and neighbours to pop in and check the person is OK.

For more information on Jelly Drops and supporting people with dementia visit alzheimers.org.uk

• Ken Oxley is the Media Officer for Alzheimer’s Society in the North East, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire